Payroll Associate

This is a responsible para-professional position related to the operations and maintenance of the City's automated payroll system. This includes generating and validating payroll and pension checks, deposits, etc., and transmitting electronic data files to various agencies and providers. The position requires the incumbent to perform various technical and administrative functions for Payroll operations.

• Validates and prepares data used to document and generate the City's payroll, including data entry for items such as general deductions and additional pay. 
• Verifies data introduced into the database by Timekeepers, Benefits, Risk Management, Retirement Services, and Human Resource staff and coordinates corrections as necessary.
• Generates, validates, and coordinates the distribution of payroll checks biweekly.
• Generates, validates, and coordinates the distribution of off-cycle final paychecks and pension refund/rollovers.
• Generates, validates, and coordinates the distribution of both semi-monthly and monthly pension checks.
• Verifies,   documents, and transmits various electronic data files such as direct deposit, tax payments, deferred compensation, health coverage, etc.
• Coordinates with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies and courts regarding tax levies, child support, garnishments, and other related matters.
• Assists in the preparation and dissemination of various regulatory reporting.
• Participates in annual system testing.
• Participates in annual tax form processing.
• Verifies the integration of payroll data into the City's ORACLE financial system through the general ledger interface.
• Processes cash receipt reports and prepares various receipt information for data entry into the City's financial system.
• Participates in maintaining the City's banking institution's online interface Control Pay cash management system for manual payroll or pension checks.
• Makes recommendations and participates in developing new procedures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of systems and procedures.
• Acts as a liaison with payroll task force members/timekeepers, Benefits, Risk Management, Retirement Services, and Human Resource staff, providing feedback as necessary to ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Prepares requisitions for invoice payments and reconciles vendor invoices and statements for payroll deduction programs.
• Interacts with City employees and other Federal, State, and Local agencies to provide information and resolve payroll-related problems.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
• May be required to work overtime, or alternate hours, as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.  
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Three years of experience in automated payroll processing, including full-cycle payroll, benefits and deductions, taxes, direct deposits, or reconciliation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.

KNOWLEDGE

• Modern office procedures, practices, systems, equipment, and software.
• Payroll and cost accounting principles, procedures, and techniques.
• City's Automated PeopleSoft Payroll, ORACLE financial systems, and BI Publisher.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, city ordinances, and other regulatory policies, standards, and requirements. 
• Court and regulatory body decisions regarding payroll operations, tax withholding, benefits, levies, garnishments, and related issues.
• City of Lakeland's personnel policies, including specific interpretation of policies to various non-standard situations specific to different city departments.

ABILITIES

• Analyze and evaluate accounting problems and recognize and develop pertinent accounting and related data.
• Make complex arithmetic computations accurately and rapidly.
• Strong Critical Thinking skill set
• Research information and analyze data to arrive at valid conclusions and recommend viable action plans for resolution.
• Understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Prepare and complete various regulatory reporting requirements.
• Communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the Finance department, other city offices, and regulatory and commercial entities as needed.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sedentary work that involves walking or standing sometimes, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
• No significant exposure to environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination).  Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone.  Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders.  Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.

Salary : $22 - $33